Happy 40th, Dean!

“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” 
― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

Flashback to February 3rd, 1998 and you would have an opportunity to witness the accidental moment Dean and I shared. Mutual friends invited both Dean and I, separately, to meet at a bar in the Captain Cook Hotel, downtown Anchorage.
Both of us arrived. We were introduced to each other. We talked a bit. I wondered where he was from because of his accent. Who knows what he thought of me.  I was brave enough to ask him, “Where are you from?”
“A small town, right outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin,” he responded.  Curiosity took over and I asked more questions. He was gracious and patient with me; answering my stereotypical questions about what it is like to live in Wisconsin. I mean, I am a west coast girl, who is absolutely thrilled to be finding out what it is like to live on the other side of the Mississippi River. Do you eat cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner? California cows are happy. Are Wisconsin cows happy? Okay, I don’t remember the questions I asked, but I do remember Dean.
The evening continued. The small group of people gathered at our table talked some more, drank some more and decided to part ways.
PART WAYS…I just met this man, with an accent, and we are going to part ways. I don’t want to part ways. However, my friend Carrie was my ride and she was leaving. I watched Dean and the others make their way down the snowy sidewalk to the next establishment, while Carrie and I walked to her car and drove home.
Several days passed and I was curious to know more about Dean. He called. I wasn't home. I called him back. He wasn't home. Remember, all of this communication took place before cell phones were glued to the hip of their user. The phone tag continued, and then we connected. Dinner, a movie and great conversation was the beginning of our single, flashing, throbbing moment.
I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Our true love moment was meant to be and sixteen years later we are still going strong. Two kids, three states, a little faith, a little hope and lots of love, have led us down this path called life. I wouldn't change a thing.
On January 31st, I wish you happy birthday. HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY, DEAN!

Thankful

I have so many moments to be thankful for...

• Noah greeting me at the door when I arrive home. The door from the house to the garage is open and he is standing there with a giant smile on his face.
• Riley sticking to me like a magnet. When I go upstairs, she follows me. When I go downstairs, she follows me. When I sit down, she sits on my lap.
• Dean having dinner on the table when I arrive home from work.
• Reading in bed at night, while Noah reads a book right next to me.
• Numerous hugs from Riley on a daily basis, as well as lots of, "I love you," statements.
• A witty comment from Dean that makes me smile.
• Non-stop chatter from Noah about everything from books he is reading, to play by play of football video games.
• Riley's informative play by play of the activities that took place at school.
• Dean and I watching Big Bang Theory from our DVR library because we are too busy on Thursdays to watch it during prime time.

Annual kid pictures, 2013

My husband is a photographer by trade, so we made the decision to put his skills to use in regards to Noah and Riley's school picture this year. He set up professional photographer lights, a professional photographer's background and even incorporated professional photographer lingo in an effort to capture the perfect smile. 

Noah, Third Grade, 2013

Riley, Kindergarten, 2013

Happiness

Driving home from work, thinking about what to expect when I walk in the door is typical. I never know if my little ones, who are not so little anymore, will be grumpy, happy, silly, rambunctious, or tired. School is exhausting for a five year old and an eight year old.  Especially my five year old. If she stops for a moment, she will easily fall asleep.
Recently, I pulled the car into the garage, turned off the car and began gathering my numerous bags. Bags, purses, lunch boxes, and backpacks tend to follow me wherever I go. This particular day was no different. While I determined which bags could stay in the car until a bit later, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.I glanced up to discover Noah jumping up and down; holding the door to the garage wide open. The grin on his face was a mile long and his eyes sparkled.
His energy and excitement made me forget about my bags, my to-do list and everything else I pondered on the drive home.
"Mom!" exclaimed Noah.
"Hold on, I can't hear you." I said, as I wiggled and maneuvered to unfold myself from the car.
"Mom! Guess what?" said Noah.
"I don't know. What?"
"I earned 100% on my spelling test." quipped Noah.
"Oh my goodness! Amazing! You really worked to improve your spelling test grade. Your hard work paid off."
Hugs and happiness were shared to celebrate Noah's grade. Needless to say, the bags stayed in the car. Sometimes I have to remember to enjoy the moment and leave the baggage behind.

Mistake, Mischief or Mayhem

I could not find my driver’s license one hour before leaving for the airport. Mistake, mischief or mayhem?

Sometimes $#&@ happens. During our California trip, we were not immune to accidents, mistakes … whatever you want to call it. However, we were lucky because everything that happened to us was fixable.

Mistake number one happened before we even left our house. I couldn't find my driver’s license one hour before leaving for the airport. My mantra in life happens to be, “Everything is fixable.” While running around my house, turning bags, drawers, and purses inside out, I was beginning to think this accident was not fixable. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is paid to keep people without valid identification, like me, off airplanes.

Dean had a plan, which became my plan, grab my marriage license, social security card and try to get past security with documentation that is legal and valid. You might be thinking I should have located my passport because that is appropriate identification. Unfortunately, my passport is expired. Additionally, my maiden name is on my passport. The last time I traveled with a passport was in the year 2000. So, needless to say, a passport was not an option.

Back to my plan, Dean’s plan, our plan … We would go to the airport and explain the situation If they didn't let me on the plane, then I would stay behind, obtain a new driver’s license and take a later flight to California. Dean would travel with the kids, by himself, on the original flights we booked. Everything is fixable, right? Yes, everything is fixable, but that didn't stop me from mentally beating myself up for losing my driver’s license right before the trip we have been looking forward to all summer.

Needless to say, everyone in the Leisgang family made it through TSA security. I worked hard to hold back tears when explaining my mishap to numerous people. I have a gut reaction to shed tears anytime I happen to be stressed. Sometimes the tears work in my favor. I think TSA officials could feel my stress and pain. TSA security examined my “legal” documents closely, but still needed photo identification. So, my school identification and Sam’s Club card passed for photo ID and we made it through security. Relief and genuine gratitude flooded my mind; followed by thoughts about what life lesson should I learn from this experience. I haven’t figured out the life lesson yet, but sometimes the best life lessons can’t be figured out until a bit of time has passed.

Back to the original question, my lost driver’s license was a mistake. I was not intentionally inflicting mayhem on my family sixty minutes prior to leaving for the airport. Intentionally causing my family to freak out would be mean and cruel. My lost license was not mischief. My lost license was an honest mistake.

By the way, I did find my license when we returned to Wisconsin. It was inside an envelope from the bank, on the floor of my car, underneath a magazine. I wish I would have been thinking clearly when I searched my car. Then, I could have avoided all this drama, or at least some of it.

Loon Lake, 2013

Our attempt at a family picture while in the canoe.

Attempt #1, so...so...

Attempt #2, better

Cracks me up...

Kill Them With Kindness

A lazy summer morning provides an opportunity for Noah to engage me in watching Animal Planet’s Houston SPCA. This particular episode involved a cute dog that had been injured and left to die. Fortunately, the Houston SPCA came to save the day and transported the injured dog to a veterinary clinic. I am sure you are thinking this brief summary doesn’t sound too unusual for Houston SPCA’s story line; however, the story is about the conversation between Noah and me. The conversation went a bit like this…

“Mom, why did the dog get shot?” asks Noah.

“I am not sure. The vet doesn’t know why the dog was shot, but everyone is trying to help the dog recover from the injury.” I respond while reading my latest library book. Needless to say, I stopped watching because my book was calling my name, begging me to continue reading it. If you have watched one Houston SPCA, you have watched them all. Sometimes I wonder if Noah should be watching this show. He is eight and hopes and dreams about owning a dog someday soon. Does this show help or hinder his dream?

“I know how the dog was shot.” Noah responds confidently.

Slowly closing the book and placing it in my lap, I question, “You do?”

“Yes! The dog was probably running around near a shooting/gun range and accidently ran in front of a bullet.”

“Oh, I don’t think that is what happened.” This conversation is going to be serious, so I place my book on the table and process how to inform Noah that not all pet owners are responsible pet owners. “I think what happened to the dog involved a naughty owner. The owner probably was mad at the dog and shot it.” I did it. That explanation was not so hard. Nice people versus mean people in a nutshell…I think, I hope.

“No, the dog probably ran in front of a bullet while the owner was hunting.”

Rolling my eyes and breathing in deeply, I embark on my second attempt to inform Noah that all human beings are not kind, loving human beings. It is true, all humans are not kind. Noah has to understand and face this reality someday. Our conversation continued, more importantly the brief life lesson reminded me about the importance of treating all humans and animals with kindness and respect, regardless of inner feelings.

If I have a difficult professional relationship, kill them with kindness (figuratively speaking). If I have a challenging period of time with a friend, kill him/her with kindness. If I have a challenging period of time with a loved one, kill him/her with kindness. I have tried with every ounce of my being to encourage my children to be kind and respectful human beings to all individuals/animals. Noah has had some scary run-ins with more than one dog. At one point, he ran from every dog he met. Does that give him permission to be mean and vicious towards dogs? Absolutely not! More importantly, it has provided him an opportunity to learn how to handle his interaction with dogs. Our neighbors energetic Springer Spaniel has helped Noah overcome his fear. He knows he can shower the neighbor dog, Sophie, with love by throwing eight thousand tennis balls for retrieval.

“Good Sophie! You retrieve every tennis ball so well.” He is learning to be kind and overcome his inner fear of dogs.

On the other hand, when another neighbor walks by with her two little dogs, he compliments their owner for taking them on daily walks. His inner being tells him to stay far, far away because they have been known to break from their harnesses and bite. Yes! I said break from their harnesses. It actually happened and resulted in Noah getting nipped. Noah has some strong feelings about these two dogs; however, he has learned to be kind and stay far, far away when they are on their daily walk with their owner.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa eloquently stated. The echoes of kindness are truly endless. Without kindness, Noah would still be running from all dogs. I can learn a bit from Noah because I can kill him with kindness while encouraging him to follow directions the first time they are given. A girl can dream, right?